The Ontario Minor Hockey Association and Nothers have teamed up for the Volunteer of the Month program – a ‘rookie’ and a ‘veteran’ volunteer will be recognized each month through a profile highlighting their involvement in the game of hockey.

We were thrilled to see so many deserving nominations at the start of the season and have highlighted two winners below for October!

The Rookie (2> years) winner for October is Wendy McLean of Windsor Minor Hockey! Here's her story as told by her nomination:

Wendy is a convenor at U11, U13 and U21. She spends about 25 hours a week at the rink. She has started some amazing things for our association like having a Teddy Bear Toss for Sparkys Toy Drive. She made ribbons for all players helmets for month occasions. If you need any equipment ,Wendy will be the first to get it taken care of. She is also a team trainer on the bench. Wendy is the face of our house major program. She has a heart of gold and loves putting smiles on these hockey players faces.

How many years have you been volunteering in hockey and in what roles?
I have been volunteering in hockey since 2018, with the Tecumseh Special Needs Hockey Tournament, then with Riverside Minor Hockey as an on and off ice helper, and then when we moved to Windsor Minor, I took a year to get my footing and have been convenor for the past two seasons. My roles have been as a Coordinator, a Team Manager, a Covid Screener, an On Ice Aide for Special Needs skaters, a Trainer, a Convenor, and my favorite title "Chaos Coordinator".

What are some of the initiatives you’ve started and why are they important?
I am working on the Teddy Bear Toss for the 2024-2025 season, and have made helmet stickers for a variety of initiatives and a memorial sticker for Matteo Muschedre who tragically died last season.  I think stickers are important because it reminds the kids that hockey is about a lot more than what happens on the ice.  I try to make sure that the kids know and understand what each sticker is, and what it represents.  
 
I also do the Remembrance Day ceremonies on the ice for all of our House Major Divisions, and while I do always read the act of Remembrance, I also make sure to read a modified promise of remembrance.  "They were young, as you were young, they served, giving freely of themselves, to them we pledge, amid the winds of time, to carry the torch, and to never forget.  We will remember them."  While the Act of Remembrance is the standard, I think its important to remind the kids, especially the U21 Division that many of those who served weren't much older than they are.

You are also on the bench as a Trainer. How are your volunteer roles as an administrator and bench staff similar?
My roles are essentially the same, its the scale that changes. As Trainer, I'm directly responsible for 12-17 kids to make sure they've got their equipment, and that in the event of illness or injury, they are attended to, to document any injuries or incidents, and to make sure that I support the coach and make sure the game sheet is accurate on the Ipad.

As convenor, my role is to make sure that player safety is paramount, that each bench has the staff that they require, and back-fill benches as required (my record is 6 benches in a day as Trainer-At-Large), and to make sure that the games are set and accurate on the game sheets app, and being responsible for the outgoing, on the ice, and incoming players, so approximately 80 players at any given time. It's just scale.  
 
And I want to mention that, in everything I do, I could not be half as successful without my junior volunteers - They are amazing young men and women who come out to help, and jump in where ever they can.  From helping make stickers, to tying skates, skating with younger teams as a helper, and running game pucks, IPads and more across the rink, they are the heart and soul of our House Major program. 

The Veteran (2+ years) winner for October is Connie Pringle of Garden City - Kiwanis Minor Hockey! Here's her story as told by her nomination:

Connie has been with Kiwanis Hockey for about 10 years. She is the league's secretary, administrator, treasurer and OMHA registrar.

Connie puts in an abundance amount of time as a volunteer with our organization. At the beginning of each season she, on average, will be 50 to 100 emails per day from parents, coaches and executive members.

Connie is a very very important part of Garden City Kiwanis Hockey. Thank you Connie for all your hard work.

How many years have you been volunteering in hockey and in what roles?
I have been with Kiwanis Hockey for 17 years and I am the Secretary, Registrar & Treasurer.

Why do you continue volunteering every season?
I continue to volunteer for this organization because it is so family oriented and I think it is a great organization to be part of.  

Do you have a story from your time volunteering where you felt you made an impact on a hockey family?
The biggest impacts that we make for hockey families that stand out to me are the equipment exchange that we have so that families can exchange outgrown equipment for bigger sizes or new to hockey families can come in and get their child equipment at no cost.  We also offer a family rate where families only pay for their first 2 children and the other siblings are free, which make it affordable for larger families to participate in hockey.   

Please use the form below to nominate a Volunteer. Submissions will be kept on file and you do not need to resubmit each month.